Versatile actor Owen is enthralling audiences as a middle-aged man caught up an affair. He chats to Karen Price about love scenes, inner voices and tattoos

It’s the morning after the night before and Owen Teale is experiencing a mix of emotions but there’s one over-riding feeling.

“I’m just relieved at getting through it,” he says. “The work involved is extraordinary.”

The actor is currently starring opposite Zoe Wanamaker in the stage show Passion Play and, when we speak, it’s hours after the official launch.

Featuring some tricky scenes in which two actors play the inner voices of the leading characters so audiences know what they’re thinking as well as speaking – not to mention the convincing love scenes – it certainly sounds like there’s plenty of high octane drama involved.

But with some incredible reviews, including five stars from the Western Mail’s London theatre critic Philip Fisher , it seems the hard work is paying off.

“From the moment I read the script it was a play that haunted me – it’s about the dangers of messing with sex and trying to intellectualise it in order to rationalise behaviour that’s obsessive,” says Teale, who is originally from North Cornelly, near Port Talbot.

The father of three plays James, who has been happily married to Eleanor (Wanamaker) for 25 years. Her world is turned upside down when he begins an affair with their young friend Kate, played by Annabel Scholey.

As the lies mount up, the marriage is stripped bare, revealing illicit desires and hidden passions.

“I would say that at the beginning of the play, he’s very comfortable,” Teale says of his character. “He’s very successful at restoring modern art – probably the top man in his field. But he’s not going to get any further.”

He says his character is drawn to Kate after she tells his wife that she thinks he’s an attractive man.

“His wife thinks this is funny and shares it with him – and the seeds are sown.”

Before he knows it, James is in the middle of a full blown affair, which means there are love scenes for the actor, who celebrates his 52nd birthday on MondayMAY20.

“It is strange, but that’s my work and this is my life,” he says. “Annabel is one of the most beautiful women I’ve met and Zoe’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve met so I’ve got to feel lucky,” he laughs.

His real life wife, the actress Sylvestra Le Touzel, doesn’t seem to mind – she’s already seen the play twice.

“I think she’s able to see it objectively and as a piece of work. She’s a wonderful actor herself and has had to do similar things. That’s why it helps being married to another actor.”

Teale – who has a 27-year-old son IonCOR from a previous relationship and two daughters, Eliza, 15, and Grace, 11, with his wife – says he’s far more romantic than his character.

“I believe in love whereas he keeps saying he doesn’t.”

The play by Peter Nichols was premiered by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1981 but Teale says it’s not set in a particular time.

“It has a set that could be from 1970 or now. It’s set in its own little world.

“It’s not in the time when it was written but it’s not been updated with mobile phones, text or Twitter either.

“They have to go out an use phone boxes to arrange their illicit rendezvous.”

He already knew Wanamaker and Oliver Cotton, who plays his inner voice, before rehearsals began.

“It’s very weird having someone on stage speaking what you’re thinking – there are times when I just want to strangle him,” he laughs.

“The level of concentration is huge. You can’t react to something differently as it throws the rhythm and other actors out.”

While Teale is playing a man in the middle of an adulterous affair in Passion Play, his role of Allister Thorne in American fantasy TV hit Game of Thrones couldn’t be more different. Once Passion Play ends he will be filming the fourth series.

“He’s a ruthless sergeant major-type character.

“He’s a twisted character who’s been very damaged in the past. He’s great to play and there’s some fantastic dialogue.”

Another character Teale has loved playing in recent years is Dai Kosh in Ruth Jones’ drama Stella.

“I had such a good time doing that,” he recalls. “I was quite sad to leave. I’m not at all surprised by how successful the series has been. Ruth is an amazing force – her energy takes your breath away.”

While his daughters have inherited the acting bug from their parents, Teale’s son is a tattoo artist. So has he inked his famous father yet?

“I don’t think it’s for me,” he laughs. “But maybe I will eventually. It will be a big decision choosing where to have it and what to have.”

As our conversation ends, Teale is preparing to return to the theatre to immerse himself in the illicit world of his latest character once more.

And despite the challenges, he really is loving every minute.

“It’s an absolute joy.”

Passion Play is at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London until August 3. For tickets, visit the website at www.passionplaylondon.com

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